Tibetan-Origin Mayor Aftab Karma Pureval poised for re-election in Cincinnati, USA

Tsering Dhundup

DHARAMSHALA, May 14: Aftab Karma Singh Pureval, the Tibetan-Indian-origin mayor of Cincinnati, is widely seen as the frontrunner in the city’s upcoming general election in November after securing a lead in the May 6 mayoral primary election.

Pureval, a Democrat and the city’s first Asian-American mayor, is expected to face Republican challenger Cory Bowman, the half-brother of U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

According to official results, Pureval earned a decisive 82.53% of the vote, with 18,505 ballots cast in his favour. Bowman followed with just 12.91% (2,894 votes), while Republican Brian Frank was eliminated from the race after receiving only 4.56% (1,022 votes).

Under Cincinnati’s nonpartisan primary system, the top two vote-getters regardless of party affiliation advance to the general election in November. Though the election is technically nonpartisan, Pureval’s popularity in this predominantly Democratic city makes him the clear favourite heading into the fall.

Pureval, 42, was first elected mayor in 2021, becoming the 70th mayor of Cincinnati, winning nearly two-thirds of the vote. He made history as Cincinnati’s first Asian-American mayor. Born to an Indian Sikh father, Devinder Singh Pureval, and a Tibetan mother, Drenko, both immigrants, Pureval has often spoken about the importance of representation and diversity in public office.

Before entering politics, Pureval served as a special assistant U.S. attorney and worked as a global brand attorney for Procter & Gamble. He first gained political traction when he was elected as Hamilton County Clerk of Courts in 2016—the first Democrat to hold the office in over a century.

According to reports, Pureval’s campaign is expected to focus on his record of city revitalisation, economic investment, and inclusive leadership. In 2022, he was honoured by Gold House, a non-profit recognising influential Asian Pacific leaders, for his impact in advocacy and policy alongside fellow mayors Bruce Harrell (Seattle) and Michelle Wu (Boston).

On December 5, 2022, Pureval met with the Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, in Dharamshala at his residence. During his trip to the capital of the exiled Tibetan polity, Pureval offered solidarity to Tibetans under Chinese rule: “We feel your pain. We understand your struggle. You are not alone, and you are not forgotten.” He emphasised the role of the Tibetan diaspora in preserving their shared heritage, adding, “The preservation of our culture, history and religion is a responsibility that those outside of Tibet feel very personally and very strongly.”